Universal Systems and Methods for Determining an Incoming Carrier Frequency and Decoding an Incoming Signal

ABSTRACT

Consumer infrared (CIR) systems typically are used in remote control systems. Most CIR systems expect a known carrier frequency and encoding scheme. However, there are many applications of a universal CIR receiver which can receive and decode CIR signals regardless of the carrier frequency or encoding scheme. A CIR receiver circuit is disclosed which can both decompose a received CIR signal into run length representation and detect the carrier frequency. The result can then be supplied to a host device for further processing, interpretation and/or actions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Inventions

The invention relates generally to demodulating a signal and determiningits carrier frequency and particularly to using the same circuit toperform both tasks.

2. Background Information

In a typical consumer infrared (CIR) system, a digital signal is used tocommunicate between devices such as between an electronic product and aremote control (RC). This digital signal is usually of low rate such as1 or 2 bits per millisecond. A high data rate is not required in theseapplications since the amount of information conveyed by a command isusually very small.

The actually encoding scheme can vary depending on the system. FIG. 1Aillustrates a signal where a fixed symbol period is used. During eachperiod, information can be expressed. This example is a portion of amessage encoded with the Philips RC-5 protocol. Each symbol comprisestwo half period where the signal is high during one of the two halfperiods and whether the bit conveyed is a “1” or “0” depends on whichhalf is high.

FIG. 1B illustrates a signal where a variable symbol period is used. Theexample is a portion of a message encoded with the Philips RC-6protocol. As can be seen, the first symbol which is primarily used fortiming is long, followed by several short symbols and an intermediatelength symbol. While the specifics of each encoding scheme are notimportant to the understanding of this disclosure, it should be notedthat in general signals from RCs are sequences of high and low signalwith either fixed or variable symbol periods.

Due to the low data rate, ambient light sources could potentiallyinterfere with the CIR signal. For example fluorescent lights flicker at60 Hz and may produce light in the infrared region used by the CIRdevice. Additionally, the photodetectors used in the CIR receivers maynot be tuned specifically to a narrow infrared frequency, invitingoptical interference from a variety of sources. For this reason, CIRsignals are used to modulate a carrier signal. Typically, the use of acarrier signal enables the receiver to filter out noise for examplethrough the use of a notch filter.

FIG. 2 conceptually shows the modulated signal. As this is an example,it should not be taken that the actual number of pulses shown is a truerelationship between the unmodulated signal and the modulated signal.FIG. 2 is a magnified view of the portion of the signal highlighted inFIG. 1B. Depending on the manufacturer carrier frequency can varybetween 30 kHz and 65 kHz.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary receiver circuit for a CIR receiver. AnIR is received by photodetector 302 which can be implemented using aphotodiode or other methods that are well known in the art. The signalis then amplified by amplifier 304 which is often a transimpedanceamplifier. Not only does the amplifier boost the signal received byphotodetector 302, but it is often used to convert the current to avoltage. Typical photodetectors produce a current proportional to theoptical power seen, but most logic circuits use voltage to transmitsignals. The amplified signal is then limited by limiter 306, which isoften a limiting or saturating amplifier. The limiter 306 helps toinsure a full logic level is obtained. The signal is then filtered usingfilter 306 which can be a band pass filter allowing essentially thecarrier signal or range of potential carrier signals through. The signalis then demodulated by demodulator 310 and decoded by decoder 312.Decoder 312 can pass on the message or command received to anappropriate circuit for use. Often the decoder comprises an integratorand a comparator to extract the information.

In a typical receiver, the carrier frequency and the encoding methodsare known. As a result, filter 306 and demodulator 310 can be tunedspecifically to the carrier frequency and decoder 312 can extract thecommand or message sent by the RC. However, for a universal receiver,the carrier frequency and encoding methods are not precisely known. Thereceiver may know for instance that the carrier is one of many, but notwhich of the many. For a universal CIR receiver, there can also be arequirement that the carrier frequency be provided along with thecommand or message. To complicate the situation further, thedetermination of the carrier frequency can be required to be obtainedsimultaneously with the decoding of the command or message, that is, notime is allotted to carrier frequency determination. Accordingly,various needs exist in the industry to address the aforementioneddeficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A system and method for concurrently detecting a carrier frequency anddecoding an incoming signal using the same circuitry comprises aswitching element for selecting between a demodulated and modulatedsignal. The system further comprises an edge detector, adjustable clock,and counter for counting the number of clock cycles between edgedetections. When the clock is adjusted to a high enough frequency forsampling the carrier, the frequency can be determined from the numbersof clock cycles found between edge detections. The frequency can furtherbe refined by comparing the frequency to commonly used carrierfrequencies. When the clock is adjust to a lower sampling rate and thedemodulated signal is selected, the same circuitry can decode theincoming signal. Furthermore, the duration of the first pulse in theincoming signal can be refined by adding a total elapsed time whiledetecting the carrier frequency and transitioning to decoding can beadded to the first decoded value.

In addition to determining the carrier frequency, the duty cycle of thecarrier can also be determined. The circuitry can also tune thedemodulator and band-pass filter upon determining the carrier frequency.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1A illustrates a signal where a fixed symbol period is used;

FIG. 1B illustrates a signal where a variable symbol period is used;

FIG. 2 is a magnified view of the portion of the signal highlighted inFIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary receiver circuit for a CIR receiver;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a universal CIR receiver;

FIG. 5 illustrates the relationship between a demodulated signal and itsrepresentation in FIFO memory;

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a portion of a CIR receiver with carrierfrequency detection capability;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the timing of the first pulse received;and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the carrierdetection control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of embodiments of the present invention ispresented below. While the disclosure will be described in connectionwith these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment orembodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to coverall alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within thespirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

While typical receiver CIR receiver circuits have knowledge of theincoming carrier frequency and incoming protocol, a universal CIRreceiver is designed to process any CIR signal regardless of the carrierfrequency or protocol. A universal CIR receiver circuit can be used todecode an arbitrary CIR signal or to provide data to allow theregeneration of a CIR signal. For example, a universal CIR receivercircuit can be included in a PC hardware which is trained to control aremote device. The PC hardware learns the CIR protocol with dataprovided by a universal CIR receiver and later can used the patternslearned to control another device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a universal CIR receiver.For clarity, photodetector 302, amplifier 304, and limiter 306 have beencondensed into a single block, detection block 402. These components aswell as filter 308 and demodulator 310 essentially function in a similarfashion as described for FIG. 3. The decoder comprises edge detector404, first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory 410, counter 406 and samplingclock 408. The demodulated signal produced by demodulator 310 isprovided to edge detector 404. Whenever edge detector 404 encounters anedge in the signal, that is a transition from high to low or from low tohigh, it causes the transfer of the count in counter 406 to FIFO memory410. In addition to the count, the polarity of the transition (high tolow or low to high) is also stored in the same memory unit within FIFOmemory 410. Edge detector 404 also resets counter 406. In an alternativeembodiment, FIFO memory 410 or its supporting circuitry can also setsinterrupt 412 so that additional logic or a processor is notified that anew entry was added to FIFO memory 410 and could be read from output414. Alternatively, interrupt 412 can be set when the FIFO memory isfull or half-full. Edge detector 404 can also comprise some de-glitchingfunctionality to insure that only true polarity transitions aredetected.

Sampling clock 408 provides the basic unit of time for which theduration of each state is measured. For example, if the signal stayshigh for 2 ms and sampling clock 408 is set to 4 kHz, then counter 406would register 8 clock cycles for a high signal. This representation isessentially a run length encoding (RLE) of the state of the inputsignal. With a properly set sampling clock, such an output would besufficient to properly characterize the input signal regardless ofwhether fixed or variable length symbol periods are used. Hence this canbe applied to a universal CIR receiver where the precise format of theinput signal is not known at the time it is first received.

FIG. 5 illustrates the relationship between a demodulated signal and itsrepresentation in FIFO memory 410. During interval 502, the signal islow for a period of t₁. The corresponding entry in FIFO memory 410,entry 552 is a zero representing the low signal along with t₁. When thisis read, any interpreting logic can take this entry to mean the signalis zero for t₁ clock cycles. Similarly, during interval 504, the signalis high for a period of t₂. Corresponding entry 554 is a onerepresenting a high signal along with t₂ the duration. In the remainderof the example, interval 506 is mapped to entry 556; interval 508 ismapped to entry 558; interval 510 is mapped to entry 560; and interval512 is mapped to entry 562. It should be noted that in the case of afixed symbol period protocol, a single entry in FIFO memory 410 couldprovide information about two symbol periods. In particular interval 508spans the second half of one symbol period and the first half of thesubsequent symbol period.

The RLE representation of the input signal provides sufficientinformation for any interpreting logic to match the signal to a databaseand determine which protocol is being used. To give a receiver time todetect that a signal is present, set the gain, etc., most standardsstart the protocol with one or more preamble pulses before sendingactual data. The preamble can also be used to aid in determining theprotocol being used. In addition, if the protocol does not match a knownprotocol, the pattern supplied by the RLE representation can be used to“learn” the unknown protocol when the system is in a learning mode.

The receiver in FIG. 4 provides a universal system and method forreceiving and decoding an unknown IR signal. However, it does notprovide any means for detecting the carrier frequency. As mentionedabove, the ability to detect the carrier frequency can make thefiltering and demodulation more effective and precise, can help identifythe protocol being used and may be a requirement imposed on the CIRreceiver. Furthermore, the carrier frequency is also used by aregeneration circuit in order to recognize the frequency a regeneratedCIR signal should be transmitted at.

One approach used in the past is to employ a separate carrier detectioncircuit. The disadvantage is that a separate circuit increases thecircuitry required, may increase power consumption for a function whichis not required all the time. In addition, the demodulator and filtermay not be set properly during the transition period when the carrierfrequency is being determined.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a portion of a CIR receiver with carrierfrequency detection capability. Filter 602 is essentially similar tofilter 308 except that in some variations filter 602 can be tuned to amore specific carrier frequency by carrier detection control 606.Carrier detection control 606 can be a separate logic circuit or cancomprise a processor executing software specific to perform thefunctions as described below. Similarly, demodulator 604 is essentialsimilar to demodulator 310 except that in some variations of a CIRreceiver, the demodulator can be tuned to a specific carrier frequencyby carrier detection control 606. Also sampling clock 610 can beadjusted by carrier detection control 606. The actual implementation ofsampling clock 610 can be implemented by using a frequency divider,which is widely known to those of ordinary skill in the art, employedwith a high frequency master clock. The adjustment to clock 610 isaccomplished by adjusting the frequency divider. For example, a 100 MHzclock could be used and a frequency divider could be set to produce asampling clock of 1 MHz or 100 kHz depending on the desired setting.

In initial operation CIR 600 is in carrier frequency detection mode. Inthis mode switching element 608 diverts the processed input by detectionblock 402 directly to the edge detector 404. Switching element 608 canbe an electronically controlled switch or any number of switchingcircuits known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, ifdesired demodulator 604 and filter 602 can even be deactivated.Additionally, sampling clock 610 is set fast enough to adequately samplethe carrier frequency. The minimum frequency for sampling clock 610 isthe Nyquist rate of the maximum expected frequency. However, theaccuracy of the sampling is dependent on the resolution of the clock, soa faster sampling clock yields more accurate results. For example, ifthe range of carrier frequency reaches 65 kHz a sampling clock of manytimes 65 kHz would suffice. However, as a limiting factor, the samplingfrequency should not be set so high as to overflow the entry in FIFOmemory 410 that will be used to store the results of the sampling. Therelation between edge detector 404, counter 406 and FIFO memory 410 isessentially the same as described for FIG. 4. However, in carrierfrequency detection mode, the entries in the FIFO memory measure thehigh and low duration in the carrier signal. This result is from FIFOmemory 410 by carrier detection control 606. Carrier detection control606 can optionally be signaled with an interrupt when a new entry in theFIFO memory is created upon an edge transition.

Carrier detection control 606 can take the time interval between rising(or equivalently falling) edges, i.e., one period, in the carrier signalto determine the carrier frequency. If the carrier is known to have a50/50 duty cycle, only the time interval between a rising and fallingedge (or equivalently a falling and rising edge), i.e., a half period,is necessary to compute the carrier frequency. If carrier detectioncontrol 606 has access to a database of known frequencies, it canfurther refine the detected frequency by comparing the measuredfrequency to the known frequencies and selecting the closest fit. Anyfrequency detected that is not close to a known frequency can berecorded as potentially an unknown IR protocol is used. Carrierdetection control 606 can sample several periods before making adefinitive decision on the carrier frequencies. This would allow it tocompensate for errors or aberrations in the signal. In short, theprocess can be repeated until a sufficiency condition is met. Thiscondition can be simply waiting until a predetermined number of periodshave been observed. In another example, an estimate of the carrierfrequency can be made each time a period is observed and refined when asubsequent period is observed. When the estimates show little change thesufficiency condition is met.

Once the carrier frequency is determined, CIR 600 goes into decodingmode. Carrier detection control 606 can optionally provide the carrierfrequency to filter 602 and demodulator 604. In addition, carrierdetection control switches switching element 608 so that the demodulatedoutput 604 is now diverted to edge detector 404. Sampling clock 610 isalso adjusted by carrier detection control down to a sampling rate moresuited for measuring demodulated signals. FIFO memory 410 can also becompletely reset. At this point, the operation of CIR 600 is essentiallythe same as CIR 400, with one exception. On the first high signal, thetime used to process the carrier detection should be added to the firstFIFO memory entry in order to accurately reflect the amount of time theinput signal was in the high state.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the timing of the first pulse received.During the initial reception of the pulse, CIR 600 is in carrierfrequency detection mode and observes several periods of the carriersignal, for a total of t_(c) fast clock cycles, that is the samplingclock cycle when in carrier frequency detection mode. It may take anadditional t_(p) fast clock cycles to perform the processing todetermine the carrier frequency and to switch CIR 600 into decodingmode. This processing time can include the calculation time of carrierdetection control 606 and the amount of time to detect a change in FIFOmemory 410 which may be interrupt latency or a polling period dependingon the implementation. The determination of the interrupt latency can bemeasured by examining bus traces. A high resolution clock can be used tomeasure calculation time employed in carrier detection. Once in decodingmode, CIR 600 measures an additional t_(r) slow clock cycles, that isthe sampling clock cycle when in decoding mode, until the input signaltransitions from high to low. The times intervals t_(c) and t_(p) shouldbe accounted for. Two methods are to reset the counter to an initialvalue of t_(c)+t_(p) expressed in slow clock cycles, upon the transitionfrom carrier frequency detection mode to decoding mode or to addt_(c)+t_(p) expressed in slow clock cycles when t_(r) is stored into aFIFO memory entry. Expressing t_(c) and t_(p) in terms of slow clockcycles is a simple arithmetic operation which divides t_(c) and t_(p) bythe number of fast clock cycles per slow clock cycle. For example if thesampling clock rate is 10 times in carrier frequency detection mode thanin decoding mode, t_(c) and t_(p) should be divided by 10. In this way,an accurate count of the first pulse can be made.

The sampling rate of clock 610 should be set sufficiently high to get anaccurate reading of the carrier frequency and the shape of thedemodulated signal in the carrier frequency detection mode and thedecoding mode, respectively. The frequency especially in decoding modeshould not be set so high as to overflow entries in the FIFO memory. Inthe event a large amount of memory is dedicated to the FIFO memory, thesame sampling frequency could be used in the carrier frequency detectionmode and the decoding mode.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the carrierdetection control. At step 802, carrier detection control 606initializes the CIR circuit for carrier frequency detection mode. Thiscan include setting switching element 608 so that edge detector 404receives input directly from detection block 402. In addition, counter406 is reset, FIFO memory 410 is cleared, and clock 610 is set to acarrier detection sampling rate. Optionally, at step 804, demodulator604 and filter 602 can be deactivated. At step 806 carrier detectioncontrol 606 waits for a change in FIFO memory 410. This could be a waitfor an interrupt and could occur when a new entry is added to FIFOmemory 410 or when it is half-full or when it is full depending on theimplementation. At step 808, the data pattern is read from FIFO memory410. At step 810, carrier detection control 606 determines whethersufficient information has been read to calculate the carrier frequency.If not, carrier detection control 606 returns to step 806 to await moredata. When enough data is gathered, carrier detection control 606calculates the carrier frequency at step 812. It can select the carrierfrequency from the best matching known frequency or it can choose to usea calculated value. At step 814, the elapsed time from the first edgedetection is tabulated. At step 816, the time it takes to process thecarrier frequency calculation is determined. At step 818, the time ittake to transition to decoding mode is determined. If at step 804,filter 602 and demodulator 604 were deactivated. They are reactivated atstep 820. Both steps 804 and 820 are optional, but are either bothincluded or both excluded.

At step 822, filter 602 and demodulator 604 can be tuned to the carrierfrequency. Depending on the nature of filter 602 and demodulator 604,neither, either or both can benefit from the knowledge of the carrierfrequency. At step 824, carrier detection control 606 transitions todecoding mode which can include setting switching element 608 so thatedge detector 404 receives its input from demodulator 604. Samplingclock 610 is set to a lower frequency for a decoding sampling rate. FIFOmemory 410 can be cleared and counter 406 can be reset. After step 824,the total elapsed time, that is the elapsed time for measuring thecarrier, the processing time, and the transition time are added to thefirst interval determined in decoding mode. Two possible methods areshown. At step 826, counter 406 is set to the total elapsed time whilein the carrier frequency detection mode as measured in decoding samplingperiods. Alternatively, carrier detection control 606 waits fornotification that FIFO memory 410 has new entries at step 828. At step830, the total elapsed time while in the carrier frequency detectionmode as measured in sampling periods is added to the first entry in FIFOmemory 410. In this alternative, the interrupt signal may need to beintercepted by carrier detection control 606 and reissued to avoidoutput 414 being read before the total elapsed time can be added to thefirst entry in FIFO memory 410.

Although not typically specified in any standard, the duty cycle of thecarrier signal can also be determined at the same time as the carrierfrequency detection. Typically, no specific duty cycle is given for theoperation of a remote device; however, in regenerating a CIR signal, itmay be desirable to not only replicate the carrier frequency, but theduty cycle as well, in order to address potential quirks in aproprietary transmitter/receiver system.

It should be noted that the approach would work in even a deeper nestingof modulations. Suppose that because of transmission on yet anothermedium the composite signal is modulated on yet another carrier of evenhigher frequency. The receiver circuit could first focus on detectingthe frequency of the highest speed carrier. Then when that carrier isdetermined, it can be demodulated and the frequency of the lower speedcarrier can be then be determined. Finally, after the lower speedcarrier is demodulated, the data signal can be characterized.

In addition this circuit and method could also be used for non squarewave carrier, such as a sinusoid or any other type of periodic signal.All that is required is that the edge detector consistently detectseither a high to low transition or a low to high. The time betweenconsecutive high to low transitions or between consecutive low to hightransitions is the period of the carrier signal.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelyexamples of possible implementations. Many variations and modificationsmay be made to the above-described embodiments without departing fromthe principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thisdisclosure and protected by the following claims.

1. A consumer infrared (CIR) receiver comprising: a switching elementconfigured to select between a modulated signal and a demodulated signalto produce an incoming signal; an edge detector coupled to the switchingelement; an adjustable clock; a counter, having a value, coupled to theedge detector and the adjustable clock, wherein the counter isincremented for each clock cycle of the adjustable clock and wherein thecounter is reset whenever the edge detector detects an edge in theincoming signal; a memory coupled to the edge detector and the counterwherein the value is transferred from the counter to the memory wheneverthe edge detector detects an edge in the incoming signal; and acontroller; wherein when the CIR receiver is in a carrier frequencydetection mode the controller causes the switching element to select themodulated signal; sets the adjustable clock to a sampling rate forsampling a carrier signal; and determines a carrier frequency of themodulated signal after a sufficiency condition is met while in thecarrier frequency detection mode; when the CIR receiver is in a decodingmode, the controller causes the switching element to select thedemodulated signal and sets the adjustable clock to a sampling rate forsampling a demodulated signal.
 2. The CIR receiver of claim 1 wherein,the controller adds a total elapsed time to a first entry in the memoryduring a transition from carrier frequency detection mode and decodingmode.
 3. The CIR receiver of claim 2 wherein the controller sets thecounter to the total elapsed time when transitioning from carrierfrequency detection mode and decoding mode.
 4. The CIR receiver of claim2 wherein the total elapsed time comprises a time elapsed during edgedetections in the carrier frequency detection mode, a time spentdetermining the carrier frequency, and a time spent transitioning fromcarrier detection mode and decoding mode.
 5. The CIR receiver of claim 1wherein the controller determines a duty cycle of the carrier frequency.6. The CIR receiver of claim 1 wherein the memory is a first-infirst-out (FIFO) memory.
 7. The CIR receiver of claim 1 furthercomprising a band-pass filter and a demodulator for demodulating themodulated signal into the demodulated signal.
 8. The CIR receiver ofclaim 7 wherein the controller deactivates the demodulator and/or theband-pass filter when in the carrier frequency detection mode andactivates the demodulator and/or the band-pass filter when in thedecoding mode.
 9. The CIR receiver of claim 7 wherein the controllertunes the band-pass filter and/or the demodulator after determining thecarrier frequency.
 10. The CIR receiver of claim 1 wherein thecontroller determines a carrier frequency by retrieving values in thememory, calculating a frequency based on the values in memory, andcomparing the frequency to a list of known frequencies.
 11. The CIRreceiver of claim 1 wherein the sufficiency condition is met after apredetermined number of edges is encountered.
 12. The CIR receiver ofclaim 1 wherein the sufficiency condition is met after estimates of thecarrier frequency meet an accuracy condition.
 13. A consumer infrared(CIR) receiver comprising: a means for switching between a modulatedsignal comprising a carrier and a demodulated signal to produce anincoming signal; a means for detecting an edge in the incoming signal;an adjustable clock; a means for counting a number of cycles of theadjustable clock between edge detections; a means for temporarilystoring the number; and a means for determining a carrier frequency ofthe incoming signal by controlling the adjustable clock and means forswitching and using the number.
 14. The CIR receiver of claim 13 furthercomprising a means for converting the modulated signal into thedemodulated signal.
 15. The CIR receiver of claim 13 further comprisinga means for converting a CIR signal into the modulated signal.
 16. TheCIR receiver of claim 13 further comprising a means for determining aduty cycle of the carrier by using the cycle between edge detections.17. A method of determining a carrier frequency of a CIR signal anddecoding the CIR signal comprising: switching to a modulated signal;setting an adjustable clock to a carrier frequency detection samplingrate; detecting an edge in the incoming signal; counting a first numberof clock cycles between edge detections; temporarily storing the firstnumber in a memory; determining a carrier frequency based on the firstnumber; switching to a demodulated signal; setting the adjustable clockto a decoding sampling rate; and repeating an iteration comprising:detecting an edge in the incoming signal; counting a second number ofclock cycles between edge detections; and temporarily storing the secondnumber in memory.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein: detecting the edgein the incoming signal; counting the first number of clock cyclesbetween edge detections; and temporarily storing the first number in thememory; are repeated until a sufficiency criteria is met.
 19. The methodof claim 17 further comprising detecting an edge in the incoming signal;counting a third number of clock cycles between edge detections; addinga total elapsed time spent in carrier frequency detection mode to thethird number; temporarily storing the third number in memory.
 20. Themethod of claim 17 further comprising determining a duty cycle of thecarrier by using the first number of clock cycles.